Experience

REFASHIOND Ventures: The Industrial Transformation Fund

• United States
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder & Managing General Partner

  • Sep 2018 - Present

  Greater New York City Area REFASHIOND Ventures invests in Industrial Transformation by backing early-stage startups refashioning industrial value chains through Supply Chain Innovation & Technology, across: Data & AI; Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing, and; Next Generation Logistics - Defensible through economic moats. We are building REFASHIOND from scratch. MY VISION To become the investor of choice for early-stage technology startups building the future of Industrial Transformation and global… Show more REFASHIOND Ventures invests in Industrial Transformation by backing early-stage startups refashioning industrial value chains through Supply Chain Innovation & Technology, across: Data & AI; Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing, and; Next Generation Logistics - Defensible through economic moats. We are building REFASHIOND from scratch. MY VISION To become the investor of choice for early-stage technology startups building the future of Industrial Transformation and global supply chains, and to help in attracting more innovation capital to the builders of early-stage technology innovations for global supply chains. Show less



The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation

• United States
• Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage

• Founder & Co-Organizer

  • May 2018 - Present

  NYC What is The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation? The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation is the collaborative, and mutually supportive, coalition of grassroots communities focused on technology and innovation in the global supply chain market. The New York Supply Chain Meetup is its founding chapter. Our community brings together startups, large corporations, small and medium-size businesses, technologists, supply chain professionals, investors, journalists, corporate treasurers, regulators,… Show more What is The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation? The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation is the collaborative, and mutually supportive, coalition of grassroots communities focused on technology and innovation in the global supply chain market. The New York Supply Chain Meetup is its founding chapter. Our community brings together startups, large corporations, small and medium-size businesses, technologists, supply chain professionals, investors, journalists, corporate treasurers, regulators, academics, and research and development specialists - for the purpose of helping them navigate the complex, evolving, and changing supply chain landscape through conversations, and subsequent partnerships, with one-another. We provide a forum for mutually beneficial interactions to occur. Our Mission: To nurture and grow the world’s foremost open, global, and multidisciplinary community of people devoted to building the supply chain networks of the future - starting in NYC. Our Vision: To create a global movement; the largest community on the planet of people obsessed with supply chain technology, who are trying to develop new products and build new companies – while learning from each other, and supporting one another. Our Mantra: The past ran on supply chains. The present runs on supply chains. The future will run on supply chains. The world is a supply chain.™ We are currently trying to get this off the ground, and we are seeking individuals who want to help organize the community through chapters around the world and organizations willing to act as sponsors. More here: www.tnyscm.com/twscf Show less



The New York Supply Chain Meetup

• United States
• Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage

• Founder & Co-Organizer

  • Aug 2017 - Present

  Greater New York City Area The mission of The New York Supply Chain Meetup is to nurture and grow the world’s foremost open, global, and multidisciplinary community of people devoted to building the supply chain networks of the future - starting in NYC. It is the founding chapter of The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation. What is The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation? The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation is the collaborative, and mutually supportive, coalition of grassroots communities focused on technology and… Show more The mission of The New York Supply Chain Meetup is to nurture and grow the world’s foremost open, global, and multidisciplinary community of people devoted to building the supply chain networks of the future - starting in NYC. It is the founding chapter of The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation. What is The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation? The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation is the collaborative, and mutually supportive, coalition of grassroots communities focused on technology and innovation in the global supply chain market. Our community brings together startups, large corporations, small and medium-size businesses, technologists, supply chain professionals, investors, journalists, corporate treasurers, regulators, academics, and research and development specialists - for the purpose of helping them navigate the complex, evolving, and changing supply chain landscape through conversations, and subsequent partnerships, with one-another. We provide a forum for mutually beneficial interactions to occur. Our Mission: To nurture and grow the world’s foremost open, global, and multidisciplinary community of people devoted to building the supply chain networks of the future - starting in NYC. Our Vision: To create a global movement; the largest community on the planet of people obsessed with supply chain technology, who are trying to develop new products and build new companies – while learning from each other, and supporting one another. Our Mantra: The past ran on supply chains. The present runs on supply chains. The future will run on supply chains. The world is a supply chain.™ We are currently trying to get this off the ground, and we are seeking individuals who want to help organize the community through chapters around the world and organizations willing to act as sponsors. More here: https://www.tnyscm.com/ Show less



The World Bank

• United States
• International Trade and Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Early-Stage Venture Capital Consultant

  • Feb 2023 - Present

  New York, United States Developing and piloting a curriculum for prospective early-stage venture fund managers in emerging markets with no established venture capital ecosystem. The goal is to help them launch a fund and start building a local venture ecosystem.



NYU Tandon School of Engineering

• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Adjunct Professor, Supply Chain & Operations Management

  • Jan 2020 - Present

  Greater New York City Area I teach Operations Management in the Department of Technology Management and Innovation. I am trying to share my obsessive enthusiasm for supply chain, innovation, and technology with NYU's engineers. I am trying to convince them that "The world is a supply chain."



Coolwater

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services

• Cohort VI

  • Mar 2023 - Present

  YC for Emerging Early-Stage Technology Venture Capital Fund Managers.



Newark Venture Partners

• United States
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Venture Partner

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  New York City Metropolitan Area I assess seed stage supply chain technology startups on behalf of the fund.



REFASHIOND OS

• United States
• Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage

• Co-Founder & Strategist

  • Oct 2019 - Present

  New York City Metropolitan Area The rOS consultancy was born out of a need, surfaced by the REFASHIOND community (33k+ worldwide), to catalyze the collaboration between emerging technologies (BUILDERS) and the industry enterprises and corporations they look to serve (BUYERS). The rOS team believes that sustainability issues are global supply chain challenges wrapped in the camouflage of climate change. These challenges will require a collaborative, ecosystem approach to solving problems.



AboveBoard

• United States
• Capital Markets
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Mar 2018 - Present

  United States Aboveboard helps you design and distribute programmable private securities that have more features and a higher valuation. This is a small personal investment.



Virgil Security, Inc.

• United States
• Computer and Network Security
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Oct 2016 - Present

  Manassas, VA Virgil Security makes software “building blocks” that allow others to add cryptographic functionality to their own products without prior crypto experience, sometimes in just minutes.



REFASHIOND CO:LAB - The Industrial Transformation Studio

• United States
• Market Research

• Founder & Managing Director

  • Sep 2018 - Present

  Greater New York City Area REFASHIOND CO:LAB is a systems design, research, and strategy consulting boutique. We help organizations create competitive advantage through collaborative engagements on Industrial Transformation through Supply Chain Innovation & Technology. Our approach is customer-led, question-centric, and collaborative.



Genius Guild

• United States
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Venture Partner

  • Jun 2020 - Aug 2023

  New York City Metropolitan Area Genius Guild is a business creation platform dedicated to ending racism through economic inclusion and investing in, supporting, and providing resources for Black-founded businesses and market-based businesses working towards equality. GG Greenhouse Fund is a pre-seed and seed stage venture fund that invests in market-based innovations that end racism.



Financial Edge Training

• United Kingdom
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Teaching Assistant

  • Jun 2023 - Jul 2023

  New York City Metropolitan Area I help train, coach, and mentor the next generation of financial services professionals at the world's biggest and most prestigious investment banks.



Navisens

• United States
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Jul 2016 - Jun 2023

  San Francisco Bay Area Navisens is a location platform that operates indoors and outdoors without relying on infrastructure such as WiFi Access Points (APs), Bluetooth Beacons, or GPS. Instead, Navisens processes data from the accelerometers and gyroscopes built into mobile devices, applying Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to achieve much greater accuracy and granularity. Navisens also provides additional information such as the orientation of the device and whether the device is… Show more Navisens is a location platform that operates indoors and outdoors without relying on infrastructure such as WiFi Access Points (APs), Bluetooth Beacons, or GPS. Instead, Navisens processes data from the accelerometers and gyroscopes built into mobile devices, applying Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to achieve much greater accuracy and granularity. Navisens also provides additional information such as the orientation of the device and whether the device is stationary, in-use, or in-motion, all in real-time. Show less



FreightWaves

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Columnist & Market Expert

  • Apr 2019 - Apr 2021

  Chattanooga, Tennessee Area I am a #MarketVoices columnist. I write a weekly column about the refashioning of global supply chains, from the perspective of an early-stage technology venture capitalist - with a focus on supply chain logistics. I am obsessively enthusiastic about the transformation that supply chain networks are undergoing across all industries, in every region of the world. Some things I am particularly proud of; - I initiated a 6 month-long, weekly series on #AIinSupplyChain between July… Show more I am a #MarketVoices columnist. I write a weekly column about the refashioning of global supply chains, from the perspective of an early-stage technology venture capitalist - with a focus on supply chain logistics. I am obsessively enthusiastic about the transformation that supply chain networks are undergoing across all industries, in every region of the world. Some things I am particularly proud of; - I initiated a 6 month-long, weekly series on #AIinSupplyChain between July 2020 and December 2020 - I consistently published columns on topics that became mainstream issues within 2 to 3 years. Examples of column topics include: • Increasing instances of Citizen Action related to Climate Change • The transition towards Supply Chain Management Platforms among startups • The increasing adoption and applications of AI in Supply Chains • The United States’ bid to invest more aggressively in domestic and global supply chains • The United States’ move to nurture technological innovation in the Midwest • The growing competition for global and domestic supply chain dominance and superiority between China and the United States • The need that buyers of supply chain tech and innovation have for more collaborative and connected platforms, networks, and ecosystems, and • The growing opportunity for early-stage supply chain innovations and technologies in legacy industries • The direct relationship between supply chains and the Climate Crisis Show less



Particle Ventures (fka KEC Ventures)

• Partner

  • Dec 2017 - Sep 2018

  Greater New York City Area Particle Ventures is an institutional seed-stage venture fund based in New York City that invests in technology startups building products for Supply Chain & Industrial Intelligence. The team at Particle believes that the greatest technological shift of our time is happening at the intersection of data and heavy industry and that this shift is fundamentally changing the way the world makes, moves, and consumes things. Particle is built by the team that launched KEC Ventures.



Feed.fm

• Software Development

• Investor

  • Sep 2014 - Sep 2018

  Feed.fm is a music API that allows publishers to enhance their products with popular music to drive consumer engagement, retention, and revenues. Feed.fm provides a turn-key, compliant streaming solution that allows users to hear relevant, engaging, and curated music while playing games or browsing a site or app. Feed.fm takes care of the billing, licensing, compliance, and reporting hassles ensuring that the legal requirements are met and allowing their customers to focus on building an… Show more Feed.fm is a music API that allows publishers to enhance their products with popular music to drive consumer engagement, retention, and revenues. Feed.fm provides a turn-key, compliant streaming solution that allows users to hear relevant, engaging, and curated music while playing games or browsing a site or app. Feed.fm takes care of the billing, licensing, compliance, and reporting hassles ensuring that the legal requirements are met and allowing their customers to focus on building an awesome product. Show less



Seen.co

• Technology, Information and Internet

• Investor

  • Sep 2014 - Sep 2018

  Greater New York City Area Seen reconstructs events from their social data on the real time web allowing anyone to understand how a story is unfolding as it happens and view a summary of an easily digestible guide and timeline after the fact.



Wedding Spot, Inc.

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Sep 2014 - Sep 2018

  San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Spot is the first online site that allows you to search, price out, and compare event venues. Users can search for venues based on guest count, location, budget, and style before booking.



JustFab Inc.

• Investor

  • Aug 2014 - Sep 2018

  El Segundo, CA JustFab is a lifestyle fashion company that offers an engaging and personalized shopping experience through its portfolio of brands including JustFab, FabKids, ShoeDazzle, and Fabletics. The company reaches over 35 million members worldwide in offering a personalized and curated shopping experience with styling advice and outfit recommendations from style experts and fashion consultants.



Ayehu Software Technologies Ltd.

• Investor

  • Jul 2014 - Sep 2018

  Tel-Aviv, Israel Ayehu empowers IT operations to automate simple and complicated tasks when they arise without waiting for people and resources and consequently improving service and efficiency.



BitVault

• United Kingdom
• Software Development

• Investor

  • Jun 2014 - Sep 2018

  Venice, CA BitVault dba Gem, provides Bitcoin companies with a robust and secure API to simplify Bitcoin security, and provide developers with the fastest, easiest way to integrate Bitcoin into their products and services. BitVault's Bitcoin wallet solution uses the most advanced features of Bitcoin, including deterministic wallets, multisignature transactions and multi-factor authentication to create the most secure wallet on the market.



The Bouqs Company

• United States
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Jun 2014 - Sep 2018

  Marina Del Rey, CA The Bouqs is an e-commerce company based in Venice, CA that is fundamentally disrupting the online floral delivery industry through a direct supply chain, flat pricing, customer-friendly UX, a killer brand, social media and subscriptions.



Drync

• United States
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Feb 2014 - Sep 2018

  Greater Boston Area Drync is the first mobile app that allows consumers to find, track, share, and purchase wine at the moment it is most relevant to them – while they are drinking it. The elegant and intuitive mobile app allows consumers to quickly and easily purchase the wines they love on their mobile phones for home delivery.



Jump Ramp Games

• Investor

  • Oct 2013 - Sep 2018

  Greater New York City Area Jump Ramp Games is pioneering a new mobile gaming category based on direct response marketing.



LuminateHealth

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Sep 2013 - Sep 2018

  Washington D.C. Metro Area LuminateHealth is a HIPAA-compliant SaaS solution that gives labs an easy and cost-effective way for patients to access, manage, and understand their lab results.



Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

• United States
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Sep 2013 - Sep 2018

  Greater Seattle Area Sound Pharmaceuticals (SPI) is a privately held biopharmaceutical company in Seattle, WA. SPI's goal is to develop prescription drugs that will enable doctors and patients to prevent and treat hearing loss, a disease that affects over 30 to 40 million Americans. Estimates from the NIH and the CDC place the total annual costs of hearing loss at approximately $50 billion per year in the U.S. alone. Currently, there are no FDA approved drugs that protect or restore your hearing from noise damage… Show more Sound Pharmaceuticals (SPI) is a privately held biopharmaceutical company in Seattle, WA. SPI's goal is to develop prescription drugs that will enable doctors and patients to prevent and treat hearing loss, a disease that affects over 30 to 40 million Americans. Estimates from the NIH and the CDC place the total annual costs of hearing loss at approximately $50 billion per year in the U.S. alone. Currently, there are no FDA approved drugs that protect or restore your hearing from noise damage, ototoxic drugs or aging. Show less



Reonomy

• United States
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Mar 2013 - Sep 2018

  Greater New York City Area Reonomy’s mission is to provide clarity and insight into the world’s most opaque markets. It is initially focused on reducing the cost of information discovery for the $13T US commercial real estate sector by fusing disparate sets of data and performing cutting edge financial contextual analytics.



Giraffic, Inc.

• Israel
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Jan 2013 - Sep 2018

  Tel Aviv Giraffic offers a disruptive solution for the rapidly growing rich media content consumption market (primarily video) in the fixed and mobile web.



Tinybop

• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Nov 2012 - Sep 2018

  Brooklyn, NY Tinybop is a Brooklyn based company building a series of educational apps for kids ages 3 - 10. It aims to reach kids worldwide by building language agnostic apps that teach through interaction, exploration, and inquiry.



Buzz Points, Inc

• United States
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Jun 2012 - Sep 2018

  Austin, Texas Area Buzz Points, Inc. (fka fisoc, Inc.) leads the merchant funded loyalty space with its Buzz Points platform. Buzz Points rewards customers for shopping and spending, with even more rewards for spending locally at our network of local merchants. With Buzz Points, Financial Institutions realize substantially increased non-interest fee based income, while providing their users with a next gen loyalty platform on the web and mobile. Local merchants win with dramatically increased revenues. The… Show more Buzz Points, Inc. (fka fisoc, Inc.) leads the merchant funded loyalty space with its Buzz Points platform. Buzz Points rewards customers for shopping and spending, with even more rewards for spending locally at our network of local merchants. With Buzz Points, Financial Institutions realize substantially increased non-interest fee based income, while providing their users with a next gen loyalty platform on the web and mobile. Local merchants win with dramatically increased revenues. The program is turn-key, and provides valuable data and metrics. Show less



Innovaci Incorporated

• United States

• Series A Director

  • Aug 2011 - Sep 2018

  Basking Ridge, NJ Innovaci Incorporated is a technology-enabled consumer products company. The company is currently completing the design and testing of prototypes of its first product. KEC Holdings participated in the Series A Financing of Innovaci Incorporated.



KEC Ventures

• United States
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Partner

  • Dec 2010 - Sep 2018

  Greater New York City Area KEC Ventures invests mainly in early stage technology startups capable of transforming the markets in which they operate. We partner with talented entrepreneurs and work with them, offering strategic advice and support, as they build their startups. We invest mainly in seed-stage startups, and selectively in series A startups. KEC prides itself on its operating and investment experience, extensive network and personal commitment to the fund. Today’s entrepreneur is drawn to the type of… Show more KEC Ventures invests mainly in early stage technology startups capable of transforming the markets in which they operate. We partner with talented entrepreneurs and work with them, offering strategic advice and support, as they build their startups. We invest mainly in seed-stage startups, and selectively in series A startups. KEC prides itself on its operating and investment experience, extensive network and personal commitment to the fund. Today’s entrepreneur is drawn to the type of investor that has been in their shoes; KEC’s team can draw from experience in operating and building companies to differentiate itself in its ability to evaluate opportunities and add unique value to the companies in its portfolio. I was born to become a research analyst. I focus my research and analysis efforts on market opportunity evolution, product development, founding team dynamics, and business model risk. I also want to understand how the process of Customer Development might evolve as your startup develops. I use the Business Model Canvas framework for certain aspects of my analysis and research efforts. I love learning new things, and thinking about how to solve difficult problems. I am patient, and I love nothing better than knowing the details of what you are trying to accomplish. Yes. That's a blatant exaggeration, but you get the idea. I am not afraid to be different. Note: For an up to date version of the KEC Ventures portfolio, please visit our website. Show less



Yhat, Inc.

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Oct 2013 - Jun 2017

  Brooklyn, NY Yhat provides a seamless way to run predictive models in production systems. The platform includes everything needed to deploy, test, and manage an industrial-grade analytics stack with zero overhead. It can be deployed in the cloud or on-premises. We met Yhat through BOLDstart Ventures.



Filip Technologies

• Consumer Electronics
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Nov 2013 - Nov 2016

  Greater New York City Area FiLIP is the result of three years of research and development by some of the world’s leading engineers. In order to marry location and communication in a safe and reliable manner, FiLIP combines three proven technologies – assisted GPS, GSM cell tower location, and Wi-Fi hotspot triangulation. This marriage provides the same power, accuracy and quality that you expect from leading smartphones, but in a colorful wristwatch that exceeds FCC standards.



Fireblade - Website Security

• Israel
• Computer and Network Security

• Investor

  • Dec 2012 - Jul 2016

  Tel Aviv, Israel FireBlade’s website security solution provides website monitoring that is a blend of behavioral analysis, a risk assessment engine and a global reputation engine.



International Skill Verification Services

• Investor

  • Jul 2013 - Dec 2015

  Singapore International Skill Verification Services (“ISVS”) is building a platform for the assessment of soft-skills. It is initially using its technology to help US and other English language universities to truly get to know their international applicants, with a specific initial focus on candidates from mainland China.



Zillabyte

• United States
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • May 2013 - Dec 2015

  Palo Alto, CA Zillabyte helps sales and marketing teams model their ideal customers and find more of them. Through a combination of machine learning and rapid human-curation, Zillabyte builds algorithms and custom filters that allow business customers to identify high-potential sales leads and to analyze customers based on external data.



Vertose Company Limited

• Advisor

  • Jan 2013 - Dec 2015

  Greater New York City Area Vertose developed innovative investment products that unlocked the imbedded value of publicly traded securities, thereby generating superior returns. I assumed sole responsibility for developing the valuation framework for a family of financial derivatives that the company tried to bring to market. I began work on developing the valuation methodology in January 2011 and I led our effort to obtain a patent for the invention. In my role as advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, and the… Show more Vertose developed innovative investment products that unlocked the imbedded value of publicly traded securities, thereby generating superior returns. I assumed sole responsibility for developing the valuation framework for a family of financial derivatives that the company tried to bring to market. I began work on developing the valuation methodology in January 2011 and I led our effort to obtain a patent for the invention. In my role as advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, and the Chief Operating Officer I provided assistance with all aspects of developing its strategic plan and establishing the company. I worked with a software engineer to develop a minimum viable product capable of demonstrating how the products would perform in the real world. I accompanied the CEO and COO for pitch meetings with every major investment bank and asset manager in the New York City area. On occasion I joined the board of directors for discussions about the firm's strategic direction and progress. Vertose failed to find product-market-fit. Show less



Kanvas

• Mexico
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Dec 2013 - Aug 2015

  Greater New York City Area Kanvas is a fast, easy way for anyone to engage in creative self-expression. Simply add text, stickers, drawings or sound to your photos to make a kanvas and express yourself.



Tekedia

• United States
• E-Learning Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Contributor

  • Jul 2011 - Jun 2015

  Lagos, Nigeria Tekedia.com is the online media and publishing arm of First Atlantic Semiconductors and Microelectronics Nigeria Ltd. I am an unpaid contributor, and I pen a fortnightly column on startups and competitive strategy with particular focus on the issues relevant to African technology and software entrepreneurs. Fasmicro Nigeria Ltd was founded by Ndubuisi Ekekwe, who is the founder of the African Institution of Technology and a TED Fellow.



David Burke Group

• United States
• Restaurants
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Board Observer

  • Dec 2008 - Aug 2013

  New York, NY KEC Holdings is a joint-venture partner in the David Burke Group, a New York City based fine dining restaurant group with operations in NY, NJ, CT, IL, and NV. From December 2008 - December 2011 I devoted a substantial portion of my time to developing, executing, managing, and monitoring a turnaround strategy for David Burke Group in close collaboration with executives in the corporate office (CEO, CFO, COO/Director of Operations, Director of HR), and restaurant managers in the field… Show more KEC Holdings is a joint-venture partner in the David Burke Group, a New York City based fine dining restaurant group with operations in NY, NJ, CT, IL, and NV. From December 2008 - December 2011 I devoted a substantial portion of my time to developing, executing, managing, and monitoring a turnaround strategy for David Burke Group in close collaboration with executives in the corporate office (CEO, CFO, COO/Director of Operations, Director of HR), and restaurant managers in the field (General Manager, Executive Chef, Sommelier, Maitre d'Hotel). We launched the company's first coherent strategic plan in April 2010. I worked with Chef David Burke on acquiring a patent for his unique dry-aging process as one of my first assignments upon joining KEC Holdings. Show less



New World Aviation

• United States
• Airlines and Aviation
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Board Observer

  • Dec 2008 - Aug 2013

  Allentown, Pennsylvania Area New World Aviation is wholly owned by KEC Holdings. From December 2008 - December 2011 I devoted a substantial portion of my time to developing, executing, managing, and monitoring a turnaround strategy for New World Aviation in close collaboration with the company's senior executives. We launched the company's first coherent strategic plan in January 2010. The company also launched a profit sharing plan for all employees for the first time in its history.



KEC Holdings

• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director, Investments

  • Dec 2010 - Dec 2012

  Manasquan, NJ I am part of a team that is responsible for KEC Holdings' investment activities. My responsibilities are demarcated between venture capital investments, our wholly owned subsidiary and a joint venture, alternative investments, and prospective investments in mature pre-IPO companies. Venture Capital The vast majority of my time is spent researching potential early stage venture capital investment ideas. I focus my research efforts on market, product, management, business model, and… Show more I am part of a team that is responsible for KEC Holdings' investment activities. My responsibilities are demarcated between venture capital investments, our wholly owned subsidiary and a joint venture, alternative investments, and prospective investments in mature pre-IPO companies. Venture Capital The vast majority of my time is spent researching potential early stage venture capital investment ideas. I focus my research efforts on market, product, management, business model, and business model risk analysis. I also try to understand how the process of Customer Development might evolve. KEC Holdings' venture capital activities are industry and geography agnostic, with only a small number of exceptions. We focus our activity in seed, series A and series B investments. When it is necessary I work very closely with startup founders to get their startups off the ground once KEC Holdings has decided to lead a venture round or co-invest as part of a syndicate. I also conduct research and analysis on proprietary ideas that we expect to "spin-off" from KEC Holdings in due course, sometimes my responsibilities in this area include conceptualizing and developing IP for the purpose of seeking intellectual property protection. Wholly Owned Subsidiary, and Joint Venture I monitor KEC Holdings' investments in a general aviation company, and a fine-dining restaurant joint venture. Alternative Investments I monitor KEC Holdings' portfolio of alternative investment vehicles. Mature Companies I conduct fundamental analysis related to potential pre-IPO investments.

• Director, Corporate Development

  • Dec 2008 - Dec 2010

  Manasquan, NJ I am responsible for Corporate Development initiatives at KEC Holdings, LLC. My responsibilities are demarcated between our wholly owned subsidiary and a joint venture, alternative investments, and prospective new investments in startups or mature companies. Wholly Owned Subsidiary and Joint Venture I devote a substantial portion of my time to developing, managing, monitoring and executing a turnaround strategy for KEC Holdings' wholly owned aviation subsidiary, and its restaurant… Show more I am responsible for Corporate Development initiatives at KEC Holdings, LLC. My responsibilities are demarcated between our wholly owned subsidiary and a joint venture, alternative investments, and prospective new investments in startups or mature companies. Wholly Owned Subsidiary and Joint Venture I devote a substantial portion of my time to developing, managing, monitoring and executing a turnaround strategy for KEC Holdings' wholly owned aviation subsidiary, and its restaurant joint-venture. In this capacity, I collaborate with executive and senior managers at both entities to enable them function effectively within the competitive environment in which they operate. Alternative Investments I am responsible for conducting ongoing research and analysis of individual holdings in the firm's portfolio of alternative investment vehicles - venture capital, private equity, hedge-funds and private placements; I provide "buy, hold or sell" recommendations as appropriate. I represent KEC Holdings' in the negotiations leading up to the firm's decisions regarding its interests in these investment vehicles. Startups and Mature Investments I research potential investment ideas on behalf of the firm. For mature firms my research involves fundamental analysis that leads to a recommendation related to equity, debt or hybrid securities. For startups my research involves market, industry and management analysis. KEC Holdings does not limit itself to a specific industry or sector. When necessary I work very closely with startup management teams to help get their ventures off the ground once KEC has decided to make an investment. I also conduct research and analysis on proprietary ideas that we expect to incubate and subsequently spin-off from KEC Holdings.



Lehman Brothers

• Capital Markets
• 700 & Above Employee

• AVP, Strategy Analyst - Diversity & Inclusion

  • Apr 2007 - Mar 2008

  New York, NY Lehman Brothers' Diversity & Inclusion team was responsible for setting general diversity strategy and creating the infrastructure required to support the firm's corporate and business strategy. Most of my time was spent supporting the VP directly responsible for driving the team's strategic initiatives. I held sole responsibility for formulating statistical tests of significance to ensure that our initiatives were grounded on evidence supported by the firm's HR data. I also participated in… Show more Lehman Brothers' Diversity & Inclusion team was responsible for setting general diversity strategy and creating the infrastructure required to support the firm's corporate and business strategy. Most of my time was spent supporting the VP directly responsible for driving the team's strategic initiatives. I held sole responsibility for formulating statistical tests of significance to ensure that our initiatives were grounded on evidence supported by the firm's HR data. I also participated in competitive benchmarking on the team's behalf. Show less



UBS AG

• United Kingdom
• Entertainment

• Associate Director, Statistical Research Analyst - Group Diversity

  • Apr 2004 - Apr 2007

  Stamford, CT I was the sole research and data analyst supporting Group Diversity, a global HR team responsible for setting general diversity strategy and creating the applicable infrastructure required to support the firm's corporate and business strategy. I conducted all the data analysis that the team relied upon to support UBS AG's executives in their decision-making, and initiated a process for keeping the team abreast with relevant competitive, economic, and regulatory developments around the globe on… Show more I was the sole research and data analyst supporting Group Diversity, a global HR team responsible for setting general diversity strategy and creating the applicable infrastructure required to support the firm's corporate and business strategy. I conducted all the data analysis that the team relied upon to support UBS AG's executives in their decision-making, and initiated a process for keeping the team abreast with relevant competitive, economic, and regulatory developments around the globe on a fortnightly basis. I represented the team in competitive benchmarking. Show less



Watson Wyatt Worldwide

• Actuarial Analyst

  • Jul 2001 - Dec 2003

  Stamford, CT I was part of a team that provided retirement actuarial consulting, pension plan valuations under ERISA and FAS 106, retirement benefit calculations and retirement plan administration services for public and private companies. Some of the clients I supported include Alstom, MEMC Electronic Materials, ABB Group, Bangor Hydro-Electric, Quebecor World, Degussa, MacDermid, Praxair, Inc and the Yale - New Haven Health System. Watson Wyatt has recently announced a merger with Towers Perrin, one of… Show more I was part of a team that provided retirement actuarial consulting, pension plan valuations under ERISA and FAS 106, retirement benefit calculations and retirement plan administration services for public and private companies. Some of the clients I supported include Alstom, MEMC Electronic Materials, ABB Group, Bangor Hydro-Electric, Quebecor World, Degussa, MacDermid, Praxair, Inc and the Yale - New Haven Health System. Watson Wyatt has recently announced a merger with Towers Perrin, one of our main competitors during my tenure at Watson Wyatt. Show less



Self

• Switzerland
• Business Consulting and Services

• Private Tutor

  • Sep 1998 - Jul 2002

  Connecticut Students seeking extra tutoring found me by asking at the Maths and Physics Department at Connecticut College, or through flyers I created and posted in areas where I felt people seeking help might find them. - A year-long algebra-based General Physics I and II course for a return to college student who needed a year of physics as a pre-requisite for a naturopathic medicine course at Bridgeport University in Connecticut. She had enrolled in a distance education program from a university… Show more Students seeking extra tutoring found me by asking at the Maths and Physics Department at Connecticut College, or through flyers I created and posted in areas where I felt people seeking help might find them. - A year-long algebra-based General Physics I and II course for a return to college student who needed a year of physics as a pre-requisite for a naturopathic medicine course at Bridgeport University in Connecticut. She had enrolled in a distance education program from a university in Arizona, but hired me as her tutor to help her get through the material. (New London, CT) - A semester long calculus-based General Physics I course for a high school student who was failing the class in school. Her mom hired me to help her get a better grasp of the material. (New London, CT) - A summer long Calculus II course for a student attending college in Florida after he had already failed it in school. He needed it to satisfy a prerequisite for a major in Marine Biology. He passed the final exam, but eventually it did not matter because he discovered that he is color-blind. (New London, CT) - A 6-month course covering Calculus I and Calculus II. The client was a high school student preparing for college. She took this in anticipation of registering for an AP Calculus course at her school. (Stamford, CT) - A semester long course on applications of calculus for business and finance. The client was a student in UConn's MBA program. He was pursuing a finance concentration but had no prior background in calculus. He hired me to guide him through portions of Calculus I and Calculus II that were pertinent to his introductory finance and investments class. (Stamford, CT) Show less



Connecticut College WCNI 90.9FM

• Reggae Music Director, On-Air Presenter, Deejay

  • Sep 1998 - May 2001

  New London, Connecticut I took over from WCNI's long-tenured reggae music director after undergoing studio training during the summer after my freshman year in college, and getting an FCC license to produce and present a live-radio show. As reggae music director I developed relationships with domestic and foreign reggae music record labels (VP Records, Greensleeves, Ariwa, Jet Star, Trojan, Island Records, Heartbeat, Jam Down Records, Penthouse Records etc.) and production studios in order to gain access to… Show more I took over from WCNI's long-tenured reggae music director after undergoing studio training during the summer after my freshman year in college, and getting an FCC license to produce and present a live-radio show. As reggae music director I developed relationships with domestic and foreign reggae music record labels (VP Records, Greensleeves, Ariwa, Jet Star, Trojan, Island Records, Heartbeat, Jam Down Records, Penthouse Records etc.) and production studios in order to gain access to promotional music when it was released. I created publicity for all WCNI's weekly reggae music shows, and regularly obtained promotional tickets from night clubs and concert venues in CT, NY, NJ and MA for on-air give-aways to WCNI's listeners. I also conceptualized, produced and presented a weekly 3-hour radio show catering to domestic and international fans of reggae music. The show quickly became one of the most popular on WCNI's weekly schedule and featured in the station's most coveted time slot for each of the 3 years during which it aired. Among WCNI shows presented by students, my show brought in the most donations from listeners during the station's annual radiothon to raise funds for running WCNI's operations. The show attracted phone-in and email requests from the mainland United States, New Zealand, Japan, Jamaica, Germany, and the UK. This was a volunteer position that I took as a student member of the Connecticut College Broadcasting Associating. I used the skills I acquired at WCNI to launch an on-campus business deejaying events hosted by organizations on campus a month after I started training at WCNI - I had obtained data on pay rates for on-campus deejays. It was an intensely competitive arena, but I became highly sought after within a few months. I relished going head-to-head against other deejays, especially the so-called "professional" deejays brought in from NYC, Boston, Hartford, or New Haven. I had never been a deejay before I arrived in the United States.

• Lab Research Assistant

  • May 1998 - May 2001

  New London, Connecticut The physics, astronomy and geophysics department's tunable diode laser spectroscopy laboratory is a state-of-the-art facility. I became a member of Prof. Arlan W. Mantz's research team after my freshman year. The lab's researchers use tunable lasers to record absorption spectra for molecules of atmospheric interest and of interest to planetary astronomers. Data are recorded digitally. The lab collaborates closely with the Atmospheric Spectroscopy Group at NASA Langley, VA, Kitt Peak National… Show more The physics, astronomy and geophysics department's tunable diode laser spectroscopy laboratory is a state-of-the-art facility. I became a member of Prof. Arlan W. Mantz's research team after my freshman year. The lab's researchers use tunable lasers to record absorption spectra for molecules of atmospheric interest and of interest to planetary astronomers. Data are recorded digitally. The lab collaborates closely with the Atmospheric Spectroscopy Group at NASA Langley, VA, Kitt Peak National Observatory, and other national facilities in the United States, and the Laborarory of Applied and Atmospheric Molecular Physics (LPMAA) at the University of Pierre and Marie Curie in Paris. We designed and built our own lasers.



Issifu Ali & Co. Chartered Accountants

• Junior Auditor

  • Sep 1994 - May 1997

  Accra, Ghana I assisted the company's team of financial auditors on client engagements. In addition to other audit tasks, I was typically given the responsibility of applying my knowledge of statistics in seeking anomalous items in client financial statements and investigating any unexplained data before we issued an audit opinion. I left the position to focus on my applications to colleges in the United States, since I took this position following my WAEC GCE A-Level exams. I left Ghana for the… Show more I assisted the company's team of financial auditors on client engagements. In addition to other audit tasks, I was typically given the responsibility of applying my knowledge of statistics in seeking anomalous items in client financial statements and investigating any unexplained data before we issued an audit opinion. I left the position to focus on my applications to colleges in the United States, since I took this position following my WAEC GCE A-Level exams. I left Ghana for the United States in August 1997 to matriculate at Connecticut College after winning a Connecticut College Grant which paid for my undergraduate education. Show less